Published: May 15, 2008 11:29 am            

Escapee captured in OKC

Oklahoma City — A man who escaped from Pontotoc County jail last week was captured by Oklahoma City police Wednesday.

Mitchell Shults, 33, Ada, was apprehended after police received a tip as to his location.

Undersheriff Joe Glover said police converged on a residence where they found Shults hiding in a back room.

Shults quickly surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. The residence belonged to a family member of Shults.

“The family member will most likely face a harboring a fugitive charge in Oklahoma County,” Glover said. “Shults is currently in the Oklahoma County jail awaiting transport back to Pontotoc County.”

Glover said two days after his escape, Shults was seen in a Sulphur pawn shop attempting to purchase a .357 magnum pistol.

After the failed attempt to buy the gun, a witness saw Shults leaving the pawn shop on a motorcycle authorities believe is the same one stolen from a local car dealership.

After the sighting in Sulphur, US Marshals tracked Shults to several different locations in the Oklahoma City metro area, at one point just missing him by two hours.

“Numerous federal, state and local law enforcement agencies took part in the search for Shults,” Sheriff Pete Peterson said.

“I appreciate all of the assistance this office received from these law enforcement agencies. I am definitely grateful that no innocent persons or officers were injured during this escape.”

The escape took place May 7. Glover said after visiting with his attorney, Shults was left in a locked visitation room while the on-duty jailer was busy supervising the inmate dinner meal. He was later seen on surveillance video picking the lock with a piece of metal, and leaving the facility.

Shortly after the escape, officials believe Shults broke into the showroom of the Marion Fenton car dealership and stole a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle.

“Shults has an extensive past criminal record,” Glover said.

“He is still awaiting trial on several pending felony criminal charges, including grand larceny, first-degree arson, and termination from the Pontotoc County Drug Court program.

Now he will additionally face escape charges and auto theft charges. Shults is facing a life sentence in prison plus an additional 65 years if convicted on all charges.”

        

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